Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Vintage Scrap Quilt Finish

I finally finished the second vintage scrap quilt!

The front is pieced with 1/2" red strips bordering the vintage scraps, and the back is pieced with 1/2" navy blue strips along the vintage scraps. The vintage scraps are quilted with 1/2" wide straight lines, while the white fabric in between is free motion quilted with flowers similar to those in some of the fabrics. I finished the whole thing with red binding.

I think I know what "overquilting" is now. I mean, you can see some of the flowers, but others seem to get lost in all that quilting. Seriously, that is a LOT of mother lovin' free motion stitching.

Still, despite my struggle to finish this quilt, I do really like it. Especially after finishing the binding and sending it through the wash.

I feel good about finishing both of these quilts (this one for me and the one I made for my tot) because the scraps were saved from the trash, and I can't help but feel like the original owner would be happy to see her fabric scraps finally stitched into cozy quilts that are used - and loved.

Related comment to your vintage sewing machines... I have a 1900-1910 Singer Treadle in great shape. Teh metal plate nearest the needle indicated the Patent date, 1900-1910.I have had since 1982, purchasing it at an auction for $80. The cabinet is in tact with drawers, having only some white rings from the previous owner. I only opened it up once before about 1984. When I was putting it away I didn't take the belt off and the staple came loose. The belt has been tucked away in the cabinet drawer for all these year till I met an Amish Mother and son team that moved in this area whom came over and put a clear vinyl tubular belt on it. I oiled the machine and ran my feet on the treadle with ease. I filled a bobbin so easily however I am having trouble sewing. The top stitch is neat and straight but the bobbin snarles. I don't have a book on it, Can you help? MJ

Hello Mary Jane, there are a lot of issues that could be affecting the tension/bobbin thread on your sewing machine. Check to make sure you are threading the machine correctly and that the thread is seated properly in the upper tension. Also make sure you have the correct size and type of needle in the machine. When you put the bobbin thread in the machine, there will be a tensioner that the thread must be threaded through. Try to find a copy of your manual by searching the make and model at the International Sewing Machine Collector's Society website, they have many manuals posted for free. www.ISMACS.net Good luck to you!